Журнал Flight

Flight, October 16, 1919.

SOME FRIEDRICHSHAFEN "MILESTONES"

"The F.F. 41A. "As a consequence of the good results obtained with the Friedrichshafen land machines of the G type, and with the first F.F. twin-engined type seaplane, the 35, the F.F. works received from the Naval authorities instructions to proceed with the design and construction of twin-engined seaplanes specially designed for dropping torpedoes. Of these the F.F. 41A has done particularly well. This machine, which is shown in Figs. 21, 22 and 23, was fitted with two 150 h.p. Benz engines. As a result of the experience with the large F.F. land machines, the engines were mounted between interplane Vee struts, which arrangement was found to combine great reliability with small weight and low air resistance. The chief characteristics of the F.F. 41A are as follows: Weight, empty and without water, 5,050 lbs.; load, 3,000 lbs.; total weight, 8,050 lbs.; length overall, 45 ft.; span, 72 ft. 6 ins.; float capacity, 135 cu. ft.; horizontal speed, 71 to 77 m.p.h.; speed on taking off, 52.5 m.p.h.; climb to 3,300 ft. in 25 mins.; duration, about 5 hours. The machine is easy to fly, and also possesses good seaworthiness. On account of its large span it is not, of course, so handy as a single-engined machine.

Friedrichshafen FF41A twin-engined torpedo seaplane 997 entering the water; the wheeled chassis under the floats being restrained through ropes by the handling crew. When in deep enough water the buoyancy of the floats lifted the aircraft from the wheeled chassis, which was then retrieved and usually stowed on the slipway for a reverse operation when the seaplane returned.

Friedrichshafen FF 41A, serial 676, the first of three of these three-seat torpedo bombers to be built for the navy in late 1916-early 1917. Seen here at Zeebrugge on the Belgian coast, the FF 41A used two 150hp Benz Bz IIIs, giving it a top speed of 77.7mph, with a range of 357 miles.